Echo cs-341

[quabinclimber]

I picked up this saw the other day to get me through while my 192t is getting fixed. Until recently i have always ran 200T's and 192T's but I was short on cash and just needed something, so against my better judgement I picked up the Echo CS-341.

All I have to say is WOW! I must have gotten a good one because right off the start no mods or anything it blew my 192T out of the water (or tree). It wasn't as fast as the 200T but I was amazed at how well it ran for 300$! took down an 80' spruce and took off an over the house Ash leader with it.

there are a few things I don't like but overall it was great. If it holds up the test of time I will never buy a 192T again. (def like the 200T the best but can't justify it being a part time tree worker)

Dislikes:
-the gas and oil fill are opposite the 200T and most other saws. oil in the back, gas in the front. Had to label it in Sharpie so I didn't screw it up.
-the on/off switch is hard to hit without moving your hand off the rear handle.
-difficult to field strip (what I love about stihl)

 

[Tucker943]

I hope you have good luck with it, but keep your hopes high and your expectations low. I did the whole echo scene years ago. I was never pleased. But, you might be in luck!

 

[MasterBlaster]

Not very many Echo fans in this House, I'm afraid.

 

[NeTree]

I had a CS-3400 I ran for years; it certainly didn't owe me anything when it finally croaked. So far my J-Red 2139T has treated me well.

 

[woodworkingboy]

I've had two in that older design they used. The better running one got nailed by a tree and the other one got tossed across the shop.

 

[Al Smith]

I've got some little thing that used by a tree service for years .Nothing to brag about but it does better than some .I do have a damned good Echo weed wacker though .

 

[CurSedVoyce]

My two little 360Ts do me ok and don't owe me a thing either. They will grunt through some wood if needed. Trouble I have seen with the newer Echo rear handles is dirt ingestion. Don't know if they have fixed all the filtration problems over the last couple of years. I know a couple things have new filters because of the issues though.

 

[Paul B]

I used my 330-T for the first time in maybe a year, a couple weeks ago, fired up third pull on the fuel that was in it, cut what I needed (killed a 10" diameter Birch) and got put away for next time, no complaints. I dont know that I would make it a first line machine if it was my daily user but for my once in a while needs, the budget price works just fine.

 

[okietreedude]

i use echo for my climbing saws, have for years. no probs or complaints here. I also have a cs370 that starts every day and has for over 3 years. we use it as a limbing saw at the chipper and sometimes on a felled tree.

Id prob use and like stihls, but dont want to spend the money they ask for.

 

[woodworkingboy]

Buying a good saw is less about the money than the greater efficiency of working that it allows. Included in "efficiency" is the fatigue factor.

 

[thattreeguy]

ive got a box of echo's , they get by with little maint,
theyre no high rpm saw, but they get thru it .

 

[Cobleskill]

One would think the Japanese could build a saw as good as the Germans-Swedes.

 

[woodworkingboy]

There are some very good Japanese brands. Echos are some of the saws sold at the do it yourself places, along with the ultimate plastic Huskys.

 

[Tree Reb]

They haven't been doing it as long but they have made some good saws.

I've got a couple of Shindaiwa's and they're good saws, extra good air filters on the bigger ones. Echo has taken them over now I heard.

 

[woodworkingboy]

I think you mean that Kioritz has taken over Shindaiwa. I hadn't heard that. Kioritz has some very good saws, the Echos are their low end ones.

 

[Tree Reb]

Well there you go. Never trust anyone, always check.:roll:


Yamabiko Corporation, the parent company of Kioritz Corporation and Shindaiwa Corporation, announced that three companies signed today on an agreement to merge into Yamabiko Corporation. http://www.echo-usa.com/News/Press-Releases/2009/ECHO-Incorporated-and-Shindaiwa-Incorporated-to-Me

 

[CurSedVoyce]

And there ya go....